In memoriam: Father David J. Baehr

Father David J. Baehr, a retired priest of the Diocese of Syracuse residing in Florida, died Nov. 23, 2016.

Father Baehr was born on Dec. 15, 1938, to parents Rosalie (Hogan) Baehr and George Baehr.

He was educated at St. John Parochial School, Oswego Catholic High School, and St. Bernard Seminary, being ordained May 16, 1964, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse.

He served as an assistant pastor at Blessed Sacrament Church in Syracuse, St. Agatha Church in Canastota, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Liverpool, and Holy Family Church in Fulton. As pastor, he served at St. Theresa Church in New Berlin with its mission of Our Lady of the Valley in Leonardsville, St. Patrick Church in Taberg with its mission of St. Anne in Glenmore, St. Michael Church in Central Square, St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Oswego — at the same time serving as pastor of John the Evangelist in Oswego as well as Vicar of the Northern Region of the Diocese of Syracuse — and St. Margaret in Mattydale.

Father Baehr served as Ecclesiastical Attorney as well as Associate Judge in the Marriage Tribunal, on the Presbyteral Council, and on the Priest Personnel Committee. He was a Fourth-Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

Upon retiring in 2005, Father Baehr relocated to Florida and served as Assisting Priest at Sacred Heart Church in Bradenton and, most recently, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in Parrish, while also serving as Spiritual Director for the Legion of Mary Curia.

He is survived by Sister Marianne Baehr, CSJ, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet who resides in Sarasota, and several cousins.

A visitation will take place on Thursday, Dec. 1, from 2-4 p.m. with a Vigil at 7 p.m. at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in Parrish, Fla.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, Dec. 2, at 11 a.m. at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, where the Most Rev. Frank Dewane will preside, cousin Rev. John F. Hogan, Jr., will offer the homily, and Rev. Jerome A. Carosella will deliver the eulogy.

St. Margaret’s Church in Mattydale will celebrate a Memorial Mass for their former pastor on Monday, Dec. 5, at 5:30 p.m.